I did it! Processed my first bird.

I did it!

I tore the skin near the leg b/c I don't think I dunked him long enough in the ice water after the hot. Next time I'll let him sit a few seconds more.

I totally couldn't have done it without all the VERY helpful step by step pictures and instructions on this site.


I have one more that I'll do tomorrow. I only did one today just to make sure I could do it. I'll make a couple changes to my set up and do the next one tomorrow
.

Yeah!

You did a fantastic job!


Super happy dance! e

Awesome job!

I can never get the neck hole to look neat like that!

Congrats, we have done about ten now and I am still learning new tricks.

Would love to read your 'top tip' links if you don't mind sharing your reference material.

Great job!! ANd NICE looking carcass!!!

THe second will be easier, and as you get your set up set up to yourliking it will become easier and easier!! THumbs up!

Looks great!

.Wow. thanks everyone!

Here is what I did. it is unconventional but it worked for me b/c I don't have a lot of the equipment that others have. so, with that being said...don't laugh too hard.

~~That bird is a Cornish x. He and another escaped the commercial chicken farm truck and the farmer (who is our neighbor) gave them to me.

Here is what we did:

1. I made a killing cone out of a one gallon milk jug. cut the top and very bottom off. it may not look like much but it worked like a champ.

2. grab said rooster by the feet. It will take a few seconds for him to chill out and then I stuck him head first in the cone/jug. I had to grab his head and pull it through.

3. since the cone is a little flimsy I held the feet and the handle of milk carton/cone device. my DH had the hatchet and we just held it up against a stump. Very primitive but I didn't want to invest in all that fancy equipment. he wacked his head off and I kept holding it while he bled out over a bucket. it kept the flapping around down. it was more like a squirm.

4. I then used the step by step instructions that are in this link
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...-eviscerating-cutting-up-your-chicken-graphic

I as you saw kept my bird whole, I didn't cut him up in pieces.

5. I don't have any of that equipment. I used a cooler to hold hot water that I boiled in the house, and a bucket with ice water in it. AND after plucking him I cleaned him in my kitchen at the sink. hand plucking was way easier than I thought. tedious but it worked. I also did most of the little feathers after I got him in the house.

It was a slow process but I don't think too bad for a first time.

I REALLY struggled with the crop/neck area. I just couldn't quit figure it out so I just cut the neck and throat and crop off at the same time. May not be right but it worked for me.

Thanks for the info, will sit back and compare my way to their way and see if I can refine my way.

Alright it looks like you did it the correct way

As long as that is your first try you should never have any problems

Great job!!!